Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad has achieved a Guinness World Record after planting 361,000 saplings within one hour, marking one of the country’s largest coordinated urban greening initiatives and reinforcing the growing role of nature-based solutions in climate-resilient city planning. The record-setting campaign combined large-scale civic participation with long-term environmental restoration goals.
Organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the plantation drive was conducted at Bhadaj across nearly 76,000 square metres, with more than 25,000 volunteers participating in the effort. The campaign focused on planting 35 indigenous tree species, reflecting an increasing emphasis on restoring native ecosystems rather than simply expanding tree numbers. The initiative employed the Miyawaki method, a dense afforestation technique designed to establish compact native forests in urban environments. Environmental specialists note that while the approach accelerates vegetation growth in limited spaces, its long-term ecological value depends on species selection, post-plantation maintenance and sustained monitoring to ensure healthy forest development. The plantation drive forms part of a wider afforestation programme targeting 12.5 million trees across the Gandhinagar parliamentary region, with 5 million saplings planned within Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation limits. Such large-scale greening initiatives are increasingly viewed as important urban infrastructure investments capable of mitigating rising temperatures, improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity.
Urban ecologists emphasise that native tree plantations provide multiple ecosystem services beyond carbon storage. Mature urban forests can reduce the heat island effect, improve groundwater recharge, support pollinators and wildlife, filter airborne pollutants and create healthier public spaces for surrounding communities. These benefits become increasingly valuable as cities experience more frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events linked to climate change. The campaign also demonstrated the importance of citizen participation in environmental governance. Volunteers from educational institutions, civil society organisations, professional associations and public agencies contributed to the record-setting exercise, highlighting how community engagement can complement municipal climate action. However, environmental experts caution that the true measure of success will be determined over the coming years rather than on the day of planting.
High survival rates, ecological diversity and consistent maintenance will be essential if the newly planted saplings are to mature into resilient urban forests capable of delivering lasting environmental benefits. For Ahmedabad, the initiative signals a broader shift towards integrating green infrastructure into urban development. As Indian cities seek to balance rapid growth with climate adaptation, large-scale native afforestation projects can complement conventional infrastructure by improving environmental resilience and enhancing quality of life. If supported through long-term ecological management, the record-setting Ahmedabad urban plantation campaign could become an influential example of how citizen-led greening initiatives contribute to more sustainable, healthier and climate-responsive cities.
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